SOTW: Audi V8

Vorsprung Durch Barge, anyone?

Today's Shed of the Week hails from an era when Audi was most definitely still the third-choice prestige German marque. As such, anybody picking the first V8 to wear the four-ringed badge was making a brave and unusual choice.

The same applies today, really. Audi V8s weren't exactly the most popular motors when new and now, compared with the ubiquity in the cheaper end of the classified listings of S-class Mercedes or BMW 7ers of the same vintage, the Audi V8 is getting rather like the tooth of a hen.

So unusual is the flagship Audi these days that this particular car (so claims the seller) is one of only four 4.2s left on the road (presumably in the UK).

This SOTW is a chance to bag yourself a real automotive rarity, then. So what do you get for your 895 pounds sterling? Well, you get four-wheel drive (natch), a 276bhp 4.2-litre V8 (earlier 3.6s have to cope with a piffling 247bhp), a 155mph top speed (presuming not too many horse s have fled the engine during its 19-year life) and 0-62mph in 7.7secs (the 4-speed ZF auto cuts this down from 6.8secs).

In the case of this car you also get Oettinger factory-fit alloys, beige leather, a current ticket, the top-end Audi sound system, and a reasonable-sounding 140,000 miles of life beneath its wheels.

We'd take that mileage with the teensiest pinch of salt, however, as the vendor admits that the odometer isn't in what you would call full working condition. There are other problems, too. There's 'minor damage to the front valance', from the sound of it the lacquer has departed from the bootlid, and you will have to fork out for tax.

140,000 miles, Audi Quattro V8 4. 2, very rare car (only 4 left on the road with the 4.2 engine), outstanding drive, current MOT, tax can be arranged at buyer's cost, Oettinger factory fit alloys, ultra low profile tyres, deep metallic green, galvanised so no rust, beige leather trim in very good condition, Sony audio with full Audi duo sound system, recently completed 500 mile round trip and car drove beautifully, electric sunroof. Price very much reflects condition. Minor damage to front valance, boot lid has lost its shine, 3 dash intruments have stopped working including odometer. In summary, a great car with fantastic road presence, Quattro 4 wheel drive, 285 bhp, attracts attention wherever she goes. I am open to sensible offers close to the asking price but want the car to go to a good home. With a little work, she will be an outstanding buy. Reluctant sale due to change in family circumstances. Please call 0116 2401844 or 07955 263175 anytime. £895 ONO.

P.H. O'meter

Join the PH rating wars with your marks out of 10 for the article (Your ratings will be shown in your profile if you have one!)

On the face of it, a lovely shed - the paintwork is piffling when you consider the potential problems in the oily bits tho, so I'd look harder at those than the valance or bootlid

He says 3 instruments aren't working but doesn't say if the speedo is one of them (it's the only instrument which would mean an MOT failure?) This is probably pre-electronic instruments and so a replacement shouldn't be too much of a challenge tho (I assuming parts from same-period Audis would fit??)

Either way GOT to be worth a peek.

Edited by johnpeat on Friday 17th June 01:36

Stu R17 Jun 2011

Top shedding.

B'stard Child17 Jun 2011

mmmmmmm nice

Waiting however for later A8;s to get closer to shed money

soad17 Jun 2011

Didn't expect to see this at all. Quite surprised...in a good way. V8 powered too

Nath88n17 Jun 2011

Nice SOTW, although this example has been up for sale for a while.

Racing pedigree too (racked up a fair few DTM wins), shame the never did a SV8.....